As the sun sank behind the golden crests of the mountains, an ebony veil of night enveloped the world, bringing a fleeting pause to the carnage. Yet with the first dawn, bright as liquid amber, the blast of war-trumpets and the thunder of drums echoed across the field, igniting a fierce clash where streams of blood soaked the earth.
Caesar arranged his legions, placing his son Saqil on the right flank while he himself commanded the left amidst war-elephants and drums. From the front lines, Goshtasp charged forth like a unleashed dragon. Seeing him, Elyas confessed to his counsel that Caesar's demand for tribute was well justified, for no king possessed such a fierce dragon at his gate. The two champions spurred their warhorses, hurling armor-shattering spears and deadly arrows. With a mighty lance-strike, Goshtasp breached Elyas's armor, dismounted him like a drunken man, seized him by the hand, and dragged him captive through the enemy ranks to hand him over to Caesar.
Sweeping through the remaining host like a hurricane, Goshtasp smashed the enemy forces. When Caesar witnessed this miraculous victory, he rode out with his army to meet the hero, kissing Goshtasp's brow and eyes, praising Almighty God. Returning in glorious triumph, they placed the royal Kiani crown upon the champion's head, as the people of Rum showered him with gifts and tribute.
#1
چو خورشید شد بر سر کوه زرد
✦
نماند آن زمان روزگار نبرد
“When the sun grew yellow upon the mountain top, the time for combat ceased for a moment.”
#2
شب آمد یکی پردهٔ آبنوس
✦
بپوشید بر چهرهٔ سندروس
“Night arrived like a curtain of ebony, covering the bright sandarac face of the day.”
#3
چو خورشید ازان کوشش آگاه شد
✦
ز برج کمان بر سر گاه شد
“When the sun became aware of that intense struggle, it rose from the constellation of Sagittarius onto its throne.”
#4
ببد چشمهٔ روز چون سندروس
✦
ز هر سو برآمد دم نای و کوس
“The fountain of day glowed like golden amber, as from every side rose the sound of flutes and drums.”
#5
چکاچاک برخاست از هر دو روی
✦
ز خون شد همه رزمگه جوی جوی
“A clashing of weapons arose from both sides, and the whole battleground turned into rivulets of blood.”
#6
بیامد سبک قیصر از میمنه
✦
دو داماد را کرد پیش بنه
“Caesar swiftly came from the right wing, placing his two sons-in-law out in front.”
#7
ابر میمنه پور قیصر سقیل
✦
ابر میسره قیصر و کوس و پیل
“On the right wing was Saqil, Caesar's son; on the left wing stood Caesar himself with war-drums and elephants.”
#8
دهاده برآمد ز هر دو سپاه
✦
تو گفتی برآویخت با شید ماه
“Shouts of defiance echoed from both armies; you would say the moon had locked in battle with the sun.”
#9
بجنبید گشتاسپ از پیش صف
✦
یکی باره زیر اژدهایی به کف
“Goshtasp advanced from the vanguard, mounted on his steed with a dragon-like weapon in hand.”
#10
چنین گفت الیاس با انجمن
✦
که قیصر همی باژ خواهد ز من
“Elyas spoke thus to his assembly: 'Caesar demands tribute from me!'”
#11
چو بر در چنین اژدها باشدش
✦
ازیرا منش بابها باشدش
“'Since he has such a raging dragon at his threshold, it is no wonder he makes such high demands of me.'”
#12
چو گشتاسپ الیاس را دید گفت
✦
که اکنون هنرها نباید نهفت
“When Goshtasp saw Elyas, he proclaimed: 'Now is the time when warcraft must not be hidden!'”
#13
برانگیختند اسپ هر دو سوار
✦
ابا نیزه و تیر جوشن گذار
“Both horsemen spurred their mounts into the fray, armed with spears and armor-piercing arrows.”
#14
ازان لشکر الیاس بگشاد شست
✦
که گشتاسپ را برکند کار پست
“From his army's line, Elyas drew his bowstring, seeking to strike down Goshtasp.”
#15
بزد نیزه گشتاسپ بر جوشنش
✦
بخست آن زمان کارزاری تنش
“Goshtasp struck his spear into Elyas's cuirass, wounding the battle-hardened champion's body.”
#16
بیفگندش از باره برسان مست
✦
بیازید و بگرفت دستش به دست
“He hurled him from his mount like a drunken man, reached out, and seized his hand in his grip.”
#17
ز پیش سواران کشانش ببرد
✦
بیاورد و نزدیک قیصر سپرد
“He dragged him away in full view of the horsemen, brought him forth, and handed him over to Caesar.”
#18
بیاورد لشکر به پیش سپاه
✦
به کردار باد اندر آمد ز راه
“Then he led the warriors against the enemy army, sweeping down the path like a swift wind.”
#19
ازیشان چه مایه گرفت و بکشت
✦
بکشتند مر هرک آمد به مشت
“How many of the foe he captured and slew! They put to death whoever fell into their hands.”
#20
چو رومی پس‌اندر هم‌آواز شد
✦
چو گشتاسپ زان جایگه باز شد
“As the Roman host raised their voices in triumphant harmony behind him, Goshtasp turned back from that ground.”
#21
بر قیصر آمد سپه تاخته
✦
به پیروزی و گردن افراخته
“The victorious army galloped back to Caesar, proud and exalted in their triumph.”
#22
ز لشکر چو قیصر بدیدش به راه
✦
ز شادی پذیره شدش با سپاه
“When Caesar saw him coming from among the ranks, he went forth joyfully with his army to welcome him.”
#23
سر و چشم آن نامور بوس داد
✦
جهان‌آفرین را همی کرد یاد
“He kissed the head and eyes of that renowned hero and offered praise to the World-Creator.”
#24
وزان جایگه بازگشتند شاد
✦
سپهبد کلاه کیان برنهاد
“From that place they returned in joy, and the glorious leader placed the royal Kiani crown upon his head.”
#25
همه روم با هدیه و با نثار
✦
برفتند شادان بر نامدار
“All of Rum came joyfully before the renowned warrior, bearing gifts and tributes.”